School may be out for the summer, but the learning doesn’t have to stop. Show your kids how much fun investigating and discovery can be with this Modesto itinerary great for families.

Before the day heats up too much, stop at one of the region’s U-Pick farms: VanderHelm Farms is still open for fruit picking, or you can admire fields of sunflowers at Dutch Hollow Farms or Old Tim Bell Farms. Depending on what is in season, peaches, blueberries, and a variety of vegetables are ripe and ready to pluck for dinner – complete with a beautiful centerpiece of in-season flowers from your adventure. While you’re out picking fruit or visiting a farm stand, ask the farmers who grow our food a few questions! It’s never too early for the kiddos to learn about the agriculture in our area.

Then pop over to MoChiMu (Modesto Children’s Museum) to cool off in the air conditioning. With two floors of fun to discover, your kids can choose from the air lab, the water lab, the light lab, the maker lab and more — even the tiniest learners can explore the Little Rainbows area.

After some of the energy has been burned off, go lean back in your chair at the planetarium at the Great Valley Museum at the Modesto Junior College West Campus. Explore the universe and learn the constellations in their all-encompassing visual environment, then explore the museum and learn all about natural history.

If you are ready to head back outdoors, we recommend the newest state park, Dos Rios Ranch Reserve. The area is California’s largest floodplain respiration project and an incredible place to learn about the millions of birds that migrate through the park every year.

After a long day of exploring and learning, spoil the kids a bit with a stop in at The Ice Cream Co., a non-profit enterprise that trains employees that might otherwise have employment barriers (non-native English speakers, developmental challenges, and those in recovery). Their homemade flavors include options friendly to allergies and vegans! 

For more ideas with the kids this summer, check out some of our other favorite spots below!